Finding A Pediatrician
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Within their first year of life, most babies visit their pediatrician anywhere from 6-8 times for well-baby check-ups. Visits spread out a little bit further during toddlerhood, but even when your child reaches school-age, he will be seen at least once or twice a year. Extra visits for illness or injury are going to crop up now and again as well, of course. In addition, there are likely to be phone calls with questions or concerns between visits. With all this in mind, it becomes quite apparent that choosing a pediatrician with whom you feel comfortable is incredibly important. You'll need to form a relationship with the doctor and his or her staff from very early in your baby's life.
In fact, it is helpful if you begin the search for your child's doctor a few months before your due date, so you have time to meet as many prospects as possible. Where do you begin the search, though? The idea of picking up a phone book and randomly selecting names from the dozens (or more) listed there is certainly a daunting and overwhelming prospect. If you have friends with young children, ask them for recommendations. Also check with your obstetrician. Since he or she is likely someone whose medical views are comfortable to you, they may be able to recommend a colleague with a similar outlook and disposition in the pediatric field. Also, if you're an Internet-user, check out forums for your local area and ask there for recommendations, specifying a few of your particular criteria (office hours, certain personality traits, or opinions, for example).
Once you have narrowed down the list, you can begin making calls for more information. In some cases, your specific questions may be able to be answered by telephone. General information such as office hours, specialties, size of the practice, etc. may be available through the reception desk. This may help you to further whittle the list, if you are looking for a certain type of medical environment. More specific questions may require leaving messages, or setting up a new patient interview by phone or in person.
If possible, I recommend meeting the doctor(s) in person before you commit to using their practice. You will want to make sure the doctor not only shares your views on various medical issues, but that he or she also gels with your (and your partner's, if applicable) personality. An in-person consultation will allow you to put the doctor "to the test," in terms of whether or not you feel listened to, and feel relaxed and secure in their care. If you are comfortable, it is far more likely that your baby will be comfortable there as well. During this interview process, you can also make sure you and the doctor see eye-to-eye on any issues you feel strongly about. Particular hot-buttons might include vaccination schedules, breastfeeding versus formula, circumcision, sleep arrangements and solutions to sleep issues, or nutrition, but what is a deal-breaker for one parent may not be a priority for another.
Just in case I have not stressed this enough, the absolute biggest issue in choosing your child's pediatrician is comfort level. Whether a degree from a certain university is what makes you feel confident in your child's doctor, or you are more swayed by the fact that he or she remembers your first name, your trust is the most important thing. You and your child's doctor should be a team, working together to ensure your baby's health and safety.
